My Deer Friend Nokotan – Season 1 Episode 7 Recap & Review

DeerColle, Streaming, Hospitality, and Such

Episode 7 of My Deer Friend Nokotan begins with Nokotan visiting the Deer Club. Before Nokotan enters the club, a random deer, possibly Tsunoda, arrives. Nokotan notices the deer has a letter attached to its antlers and reads it. She notices it’s almost time for the DeerColle or Deer Collection 2024 competition.

Nokotan enters the Deer Club and informs Koshi, Anko, and Bashame about it. Anko and Bashame fill Koshi in on what DeerColle is about. Nokotan tells Koshi she needs her to attend DeerColle since it’s part of the rules. Nokotan’s upset that Koshi possibly doesn’t care about her. 

After Anko and Bashame share some funny remarks, they tell Koshi they’ve sent in Koshi and Nokotan’s application to participate in DeerColle. Nokotan coerces Koshi into participating in the event and the two train for it. Training doesn’t go well. Nokotan tells Koshi what they must improve on if they hope to win. 

Koshi practices and Ukai walks into the room. Ukai reads the room and departs. Then, the narrator tells the audience that a deer named Tsunoyama and a deer cracker shop owner named Tanabe won the DeerColle competition. The next day, Koshi examines her MyTube script and checks her surroundings to see if it’s good for her to start her MyTube stream. 

Then, we enter a flashback set a few days ago. Ukai suggests Koshi start a MyTube channel to give viewers insight into the Deer Club’s activities. Moreover, Ukai says it could be a great way for Koshi to earn cash for the Deer Club. Then, we return to the present timeline. 

Koshi’s baffled by all the comments she’s receiving. Nokotan interrupts Koshi’s stream and Koshi panics. Regardless, Koshi introduces herself to the stream’s audience. Koshi tries introducing Nokotan to the audience. However, Nokotan starts scratching her antlers on the wall causing a weird sound to echo throughout the Deer Club. 

Koshi puts the live stream on hold to help Nokotan out. Then, Koshi continues her livestream. Koshi asks Nokotan to sit next to her. Nokotan sits next to Koshi and Koshi notices Nokotan’s antlers have grown a lot. Koshi can’t focus on the stream. It gets worse when Nokotan’s antlers start multiplying.

This causes Koshi more issues. Nokotan’s antlers grow more and develop a mind of their own. Koshi looks at the comments and someone informs her that folks at Nara Park often cut wild deer’s antlers off. Koshi attempts to cut off Nokotan’s antlers but they fall off on their own. 

Koshi looks at the comments again and notices Bashame and Anko are in the comment section. She vows never to livestream again. The narrator informs everyone that Tanabe and Tsunoyama’s MyTube channel has gotten rave reviews. Also, the narrator says Koshi’s video went viral and Koshi got the club funds she wanted from her MyTube channel. 

The next day, we cut away to Cafe Sparrow. There, the cafe’s owner, Tsubameya, shares why he values hospitality above everything. Koshi and Nokotan enter Tsubameya’s cafe. Nokotan’s antlers get caught on the doorframe and Tsubameya drops the dish he was cleaning. 

Tsubameya is amazed that a deer entered his cafe. He recalls Chiharu’s (who we learn is related to Tsubameya) deer merchandise. Tsubameya vows to give them perfect hospitality. He heads to the girls’ table and Nokotan asks him for an antler rest. 

Koshi tells Nokotan that cafes don’t have antler rests. Tsubameya’s upset because he couldn’t satisfy Nokotan’s wants. Then, Tsubameya hands the girls a menu. Nokotan asks for deer crackers but Tsubameya says he doesn’t sell deer crackers. She and Koshi order something else instead. 

Tsubameya ensures their orders look adorable. However, Nokotan eats the meal without giving it the appreciation Tsubameya was looking for. Tsubameya informs the girls on how much their meals will cost. He looks utterly defeated. Nokotan notices and cheers Tsubameya up. 

Nokotan and Koshi depart from the cafe. However, Tsubameya stops the girls. Tsubameya vows to give Nokotan an exquisite deer cracker feast when she visits the cafe next time. The episode ends with Koshi wondering how to respond to the situation she found herself in. 

The Episode Review

This was another enjoyable showcase from My Deer Friend Nokotan. The episode gives fans humorous jabs at runway models, YouTube personalities, and shop owners. From the 3D deers walking down the runways to Tsubameya’s strange waiter actions, fans will chuckle at Oshioshio’s satirical stance on these careers. 

Additionally, this chapter’s events feel less random than the 18 mini-episodes we received in episode 6. The 18 mini-episodes, while a neat idea, felt too random. It made matters feel less pleasing to watch. However, episode 7’s events felt more consistent, easier to digest, and entertaining.

At the same time, this episode has some missed opportunities worth noting. For instance, it’s disappointing we didn’t see Nokotan and Koshi attend DeerColle and perform their act in front of a live audience. While Koshi and Nokotan’s training regime was funny, Wit Studios’s decision not to progress with such an idea is upsetting. 

Also, it’s weird they didn’t go beyond the call of duty with that story segment, considering they’ve included some “anime-only” content in this adaptation of Oshioshio’s original manga. Regardless, this episode should tickle fans’ funny bones until the next one airs.